Week 5 – Final Paper       

Ethical Reasoning

Please read these assignment instructions before writing your paper  as they contain very precise and specific instructions on both the  content and format requirements. You should download the provided outline and use that to structure your paper, and consult the assignment guidance and modeled example for additional help. Finally, before submitting your assignment please use the checklist to ensure that you have completed all of the requirements.

Overview

This course has three written assignments that build upon one another  and are designed to take you step-by-step through a process of writing a  paper that identifies an ethical question, examines the context,  issues, and arguments surrounding the question, and attempts to defend  an answer to that question using strong moral reasoning.

In the Week 1 assignment, “Ethical Question,” you chose an ethical  question, provided an introduction, a position statement and supporting  reason, and an opposing position statement and supporting reason.

In the Week 3 assignment, “Applying an Ethical Theory,” you explained  utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics, including its core moral  principle or ideal, and applied that theory to the topic by  demonstrating how its principles would support a particular position on  your ethical question.

In this final written assignment, you will combine what you have done  in these two exercises by examining an ethical issue and defending your  own position on an ethical question regarding that issue.

This final written assignment should be written in essay form with the following clearly labeled sections:

1. Introduction
2. Ethical Argument
3. Explanation and Defense
4. Objection and Response
5. Conclusion

The paper should be between 1,300 and 1,500 words, utilize three  scholarly resources, and include a title page and reference page.

Part 1: Introduction

In this section of the paper, you will begin with your ethical  question, introduce the topic and paper, and close with a thesis  statement.

• The ethical question may be the same as your Week 3 written  assignment (“Applying an Ethical Theory”) or a revised version of it.
• The introduction should be revised in a way that reflects your additional thinking on the issue and question.
• End this section with a thesis statement that states your position  on the issue (the answer to the ethical question you believe is  strongest) and provides a brief summary of the main ideas you will be  presenting in the paper. Please see the assignment guidance for examples  of thesis statements.

Place the introduction under the Part 1: Introduction heading.

Part 2: Ethical Argument

In this section of the paper, you will present the strongest argument  you can in support of the position you have stated in your  introduction.

• This will be similar to the “supporting reasons” you offered in the  first assignment; however, this argument should reflect your research  into the key ethical issues that need to be identified and addressed,  the arguments on different sides of this problem, and the theories of  moral reasoning we have studied in the class (you will discuss the  specific details and implications of the moral theories in the next two  sections).
• You can think of this as a summary of the main argument you would  give if you were an attorney trying to convince a jury of your position.

Place this information under the Part 2: Ethical Argument heading.

Part 3: Explanation and Defense

In this section, you will explain and defend your argument by drawing  on the moral theory that aligns most closely with the argument you  presented in Part 2. This may be the same theory you discussed in your  second assignment, but it may also be a different theory.

• You must first explain the theory in general terms similar to how  you explained a theory in your second assignment, including a brief  account of the historical background of the theory and the  philosopher(s) associated with it and general overview of the core moral  ideal or principle of the theory, including the way it guides and  constrains moral reasoning.
• You should then clearly show how your argument represents an application of that form of moral reasoning.
• In other words, if the argument you present in Part 2 is  utilitarian, deontological, or virtue-based (teleological), you will  want to explain utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics in general  terms, then explain how your argument from Part 2 reflects or draws upon  the core principles and values of that theory. Please refer to the Week  3 assignment instructions for directions on how to explain and apply  the moral theory.

Place this section under the Part 3: Explanation and Defense heading.

Part 4: Objection and Response

In this section of the paper, you will present the strongest  objection you can to your argument, and briefly defend that objection by  appealing to a different ethical theory than the one you focused on in  Part 3.

• Briefly explain the core moral ideal or principle of the theory and  how that could be the basis of an objection to your argument. For  instance, if you explained and defended your own argument by applying  the principles of virtue ethics, you could raise an objection from the  perspective of utilitarianism by briefly explaining the core utilitarian  principle and how applying that principle could lead someone to a  different conclusion than the one you are defending.
• Next, you should respond to the objection by explaining why it is  not strong enough to undermine the main argument in defense of your  position.
• See the assignment guidance for suggestions on how to effectively respond to the objection.

Place this section under the Part 4: Objection and Response heading.

Part 5: Conclusion

In this section of the paper, provide a summary of what you have done  in the paper by briefly describing what you accomplished in each of the  above sections.

Place this section under the Part 5: Conclusion heading.

Resource Requirement

You must use at least three scholarly resources, only one of which  may be the textbook. In other words, you must use at least two scholarly  resources in addition to the textbook.

Acceptable ways of using a source include providing a quotation,  summary, or paraphrase; merely providing a citation, especially when it  is unclear how or where the text supports your claim, is not sufficient.

If you need help with finding additional resources or are unsure  about whether a particular resource will count toward the requirement,  please contact your instructor.

For sources to count toward the resources requirement, they must be  cited within the text of your paper and on the reference page. Sources  that are listed on the references page but not cited within the paper do  not count toward fulfilling the resources requirement.

In your paper,

• Introduce the topic and paper.
• Provide a thesis statement.
• Present an argument in support of the position.
• Defend the argument by explaining and applying the ethical theory that most closely aligns with the argument.
• Present an objection to the argument by appealing to a different ethical theory.
• Respond to the objection.
• Provide a conclusion that describes what was accomplished in each of the sections of the paper.

The Ethical Reasoning Final Paper

• Must be 1,300 to 1,500 words in length (not including title and  references pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in  the Ashford Writing Center’s APA Style  (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.resource.
• Must include a separate title page with the following: 
  • Title of paper
  • Student’s name
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted